These seven day trips from Lisbon are great additions to your overall travel itinerary – all for different reasons. Whether you’re interested in seeing historic quaint towns or the remnants of opulent country estates, you’ll find something on this list that appeals to you.

1. Sintra

Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s just forty minutes away from the city by train and there is plenty to do there to fill up your itinerary.

Make sure you take time to visit the Palácio da Pena. This Romanticist castle is noted for its vivid yellow, red, and gray exteriors as well as it’s position on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains. It has long been one of Portugal’s most visited monuments and has been carefully restored over the years. The palace was constructed as a royal summer residence and was home to many notable members of the royal family over the years. Queen Amelie, the last reigning monarch of Portugal, spent her final night as royalty in this palace before leaving the country.

If you’re interested in something a little more mysterious, you’ll likely enjoy a tour of Quinta da Regaleira, the former home of Portuguese businessman, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. It was designed by Luigi Manini, an Italian architect who was known for his work in opera stage design. While the magnificent five-story castle is impressive in itself, the unique nature of this estate comes from it’s outdoor parks which include tunnels, grottoes, and initial wells that are linked to Tarot mysticism. You can take a guided tour, a self-guided tour, or access an augmented reality experience by using an app on your smartphone. 

2. Batalha

Batalha is your best option if you’re interested in a short day trip from Lisbon that is still worth your time. The most famous monument and the main reason to visit is the Mosteiro da Batalha, a monastery that was built to commemorate the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota. This was one of the most important conflicts in Portuguese history – it was fought between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile as the latter was making an attempt to take the Portuguese throne. Despite being significantly outnumbered, Portugal emerged victorious and further established their independence.

Construction began on the monastery the year after the battle and went on for quite some time. Today you can visit the beautiful structure and see the final resting place of King John I of Portugal, who commanded the Portuguese army through the previously mentioned battle, and many members of his family including his wife, Phillipa of Lancaster.

There are several buses that can take you from Lisbon to Batalha throughout the day but the schedule for those routes may vary and can be quite limited. Your best option is to join an organized tour that will provide transportation to and from Batalha or to rent a car and drive as that can give you flexibility and the opportunity to explore sites like the battlefield, which is a few miles out of town.

3. Cascais

If you’re interested in relaxing on the beach and experiencing a coastal retreat, Cascais will be a great day trip for you. It’s just about a half hour car ride west of Lisbon or an hour long train ride so if you start your journey early you’ll get a long day of relaxing or enjoying the sights.

Cascais is truly beautiful which means that it may be quite crowded on weekends, especially during the summer. But that means you get to enjoy all of the benefits that come with that as well which include a vibrant nightlife scene and plenty of other things to do.

4. Obidos

The small town of Obidos is about an hour away from Lisbon by car. It’s one of the iconic walled cities where you can wander through the charming cobblestone streets and marvel at the fascinating medieval architecture. Although Obidos is small, there is plenty to do and an ideal destination if you’re interested in a leisurely day shopping, exploring, and grabbing a bite to eat.

One of the most unique aspects of Obidos is the number of bookstores present throughout the storybook town. There are fourteen bookstores that you can step into, but what makes the town so unique are the number of hybrid bookstores, which are historic buildings and local businesses that sell books as well.

5. Évora

The city of Évora is known for its many attractions including the Roman Temple, the Bone Chapel, and the Gothic Cathedral. The city is also known for it’s incredibly well preserved

You can take a train to Évora or you can drive – either way you’ll be there within an hour. Once you arrive you should plan on spending at least six or seven hours exploring when you arrive. It can get moderately busy during the weekends, especially during the parts of the year that see an influx of tourists like the spring or summer.

6. Setubal

For an authentic and charming experience, head to the small town of Setubal. It’s about thirty miles south of Lisbon and you can either drive or take a train to get there. Either way, it will take you about 40 minutes to arrive.

One of the perks of visiting Setubal is how few tourists venture there. You’ll get to see a side of modern Portugal that not many visitors see. For example, you can stop by the Mercado do Livramento, a historic fish market that has been taking place for over 150 years. Shop at any of the hundreds of stalls for fish and other food items.

7. Palácio Nacional de Queluz

One of the last great examples of Rococo architecture in Europe, the Palácio Nacional de Queluz is a great place to visit to get a glimpse of the opulence and splendor of Portugal’s past. It was built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for Dom Pedro of Braganza and his wife, Queen Maria I. In the 20th century it became a property of the state and today one wing of the palace is used as the official state guest house. Apart from that, the palace is a major tourist attraction.

The Palácio Nacional de Queluz is very close to Lisbon so it’s a great option for a last minute day trip. You can take standard public transportation to get there which normally takes 45 minutes or more but if you can rent a car or hire a taxi, that will be your best option as that journey only takes about 15 minutes. 

Video Guide: 7 Best Day Trips from Lisbon

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